Once a year during the holiday season I compile a list of books that would make great gifts for the culinarian in your life.
This year, I decided to do things a little differently.
Instead of tomes about what to eat and drink, I opted to pick a half-dozen, somewhat randomly, books, and pair them with an appropriate libation. What should be in your glass when you’re sitting by the fire reading one of these?
Here you go.
The Awesome Music Project (Canada): Songs of Hope and Happiness, Robert Carli and Terry Stuart.
A book about the power of music, it covers stories from Canadian musicians, complete with bright illustrations and a nod to how music can support mental and physical health.
Musician in the family? Wrap this one up. Proceeds support music and mental health research.
Enjoy with a warm mug of homemade hot chocolate — semisweet chocolate, milk, cream, brown sugar, and vanilla. For a kick, add some Peach Liqueur from Maple Leaf Spirits.
Me, Elton John.
Speaking of music, Sir Elton’s official autobiography is a sharply dramatic read. Enormous ups and downs, lurid at times, both hilariously outrageous and bluntly honest.
Whether you’re a fan, it’s a great read with the occasional, “I had no idea he did that!” moment.
In recognition of his three decades of sobriety, a mocktail seems appropriate. The French 75 can be made without the sparkling wine and gin. Fresh lemon juice, citrus bitters, and a good locally made tonic such as that from Penticton’s The People’s Crafthouse, or a Fentimans.
No is a Four-Letter Word: How I Failed Spelling But Succeeded in Life, Chris Jericho.
Yes, the wrestler. Here you have 20 life lessons, celebrity name-dropping, many entertaining stories, and the whole thing starts with a quote from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. His heavy metal band is named Fozzy. Close enough to fizzy.
He made the hashtag #alittlebitofthebubbly trend. And then he released a sparkling wine. Chill as bottle of Road 13’s Sparkling Chenin Blanc, and enjoy.
The Truth About Magic, Atticus:
Instagram poetry is a thing, and the king of it could very well be this guy (follow @atticuspoetry). Many poems reference Paris, rain, heart ache, lost and found loves.
You can read the entire book in less than an hour, so about the time it’ll take to savour whiskey, preferably Canadian as Atticus is from B.C., and because there’s a poem about women and whiskey. Have a bottle from Dubh Glas Distillery, Okanagan Spirits, or Shelter Point Distillery nearby.
Do You Mind if I Cancel? (Things That Still Annoy Me) Gary Janetti:
Also famous on Instagram for his chronicles of the life of Prince George and the royals (follow @garyjanetti), Janetti is a writer and producer of sitcoms you probably like.
I like this book. Actually, I love it. Bits and pieces of his life written in such a way that you kind of want him to write your epitaph when the time comes.
Some chapters say crisp white wine, perhaps the Mystic River Pinot Blanc from Wild Goose.
Others are juicy and bold reds, such as the Platinum Merlot from Little Engine. And the final chapter deserves a sip of something unique, the Platinum M Madeira-style fortified wine from CedarCreek.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Stay tuned for a preview of the best events coming in 2020 in a future column.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.